DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

1130 17TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-4604

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

Andrew Bowman, 1130 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 200364604

Signed the 990

Andrew Bowman, President & CEO

Phone

(202) 682-9400

Website

www.defenders.org

Return prepared by

Rogers & Company PLLC

Mission

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.

Program accomplishments

• Conservation and Restoration of Imperiled Biodiversity in North America: Defenders of Wildlife focuses on the conservation of imperiled species and keystone or umbrella species that help restore the integrity and health of ecosystems. Our focus on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity defines our important niche in the environmental and conservation community. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, our programs emphasize imperiled species and their habitat throughout North America because of the irreparable loss that species extinction represents. We believe in the inherent value of wildlife and the natural world. To realize our conservation vision, Defenders of Wildlife engages in policy analysis and advocacy, litigation, innovative science, technology development, and conservation activities in the field. Our work is aimed at the prevention of species and habitats from becoming imperiled, the protection of endangered and threatened species and their habitats, and the restoration of the health of vulnerable species and their habitats. We are known for our innovative and pragmatic responses to a constantly changing political, economic and social environment. Our staff of scientists, wildlife policy experts, lobbyists, communications experts, and attorneys work in the halls of Congress, state legislatures, the courts, and local communities, and in the field across the country. We develop and advocate for innovative "up-stream" management solutions for public and private lands that encourage conservation of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats. We emphasize collaboration with other groups as a means of bringing to bear as much collective influence as possible on policymakers and processes which are often subjected to relentless pressure from special interests. The shared goal of all of our activities is to make Defenders of Wildlife the nation's most effective champion of imperiled wildlife in an era of climate change and habitat loss, leading the way in meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities that tomorrow presents to leave a rich and diverse natural legacy for future generations.
  Expenses $14,676,309 · grants $548,266 · revenue $66,974
• Mobilization of a Broader Constituency for Wildlife Conservation:Defenders of Wildlife implements nation-wide conservation initiatives and place-based conservation programs that are rooted in the communities in which we work. We focus on strategic areas where we can have a positive impact on wildlife and landscapes. We are driven by our responsibility to mobilize and grow a movement for conservation that will endure for generations to come. We issue a monthly email publication, as well as an Impact Report, sent to all members who have provided us with their email address. It features informative articles on important wildlife and land management conservation issues, editorial comments, and updates on current activities taken by the organization. Our educational outreach projects include: providing the public with up-to-date information on wildlife and habitat protection issues; maintaining an activist network and alerting activists to contact elected officials on key wildlife conservation issues; and providing information to students and teachers on wildlife issues. We also reach the public by briefing the local and national media on important wildlife topics, by producing high quality video and participating in various podcasts, media interviews, and events highlighting America's wildlife and public lands. We also engage supporters on our social network channels and through our online blog. Defenders of Wildlife's website and social media platforms offer extensive information on wildlife species and related conservation issues. The website, www.defenders.org, serves as a resource for learning more about wildlife, understanding current policy issues, and getting involved.
  Expenses $12,538,215 · grants $61,168

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

53-0183181

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1948

Accounting year ends

September

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Animal-related (D300)

Assets (IRS master file)

$65,453,645

Income (IRS master file)

$83,760,881

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 53-0183181).

Questions about DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

What is the EIN of DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE?

The employer identification number (EIN) of DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE is 53-0183181.

Is DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1948.

Are donations to DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.

Who is the principal officer of DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names Andrew Bowman.

Who are the officers and directors of DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 43 people; 21 received compensation from the organization, the highest $820,725 (Jamie Rappaport Clark, President and CEO (to 7/24)).

How much revenue does DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE have?

On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $48,550,195, expenses of $38,303,168 and total assets of $65,453,645 at year end.

Other nonprofits in WASHINGTON

• NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
  EIN 52-1384139 · last filed 990 for 2025
• HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS INC
  EIN 53-0225390 · last filed 990 for 2025
• AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
  EIN 52-0781390 · last filed 990 for 2025
• AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION
  EIN 84-0432950 · last filed 990 for 2025
• HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS INTERNATIONAL
  EIN 52-1769464 · last filed 990 for 2024
• JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH EDUCATION & CONSERVATION
  EIN 94-2474731 · last filed 990 for 2024
• WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
  EIN 53-0219724 · last filed 990 for 2025
• FRANKFURT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY US INC
  EIN 30-0457102 · last filed 990 for 2025

All nonprofits in WASHINGTON · District of Columbia · Animal-related